New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens (centre), who was snatched by rebels in Indonesia's restive region of Papua in February last year, gestures as he walks with New Zealand Ambassador to Indonesia Kevin Burnett (centre, right) after arriving from Central Papua by an air force plane at Halim Perdanakusuma air base in Jakarta on 21 September 21, 2024. Photo: YASUYOSHI CHIBA / AFP
New video footage has been released showing a peaceful hand-over ceremony of Philip Mehrtens' in West Papua.
Mr Mehrtens was held hostage by the West Papua National Liberation Army for 19 months after he landed a small plane in a remote mountainous area in February last year.
His release comes after a disputed claim of a bribe and six months on from the group saying they intended to release him.
RNZ Pacific's Eleisha Foon has more.
